Dr. Mel Goldstein, a force of nature in Connecticut meteorology for decades, has retired from WTNH-TV (News 8) to focus on his health, the station announced Tuesday. Goldstein was diagnosed with a form of cancer, called multiple myeloma, more than 15 years ago.

"This is the hardest thing for anybody to do," Goldstein said, "after investing so much of your life in something."

Goldstein, who created the Weather Center at Western Connecticut State University and a color-coded severe weather prediction system for WTNH, has been suffering from severe, noncancer-related pain that has kept him off the air this summer.

"It's been very difficult for me the last couple of months," he said from his East Haven home Tuesday. "I've been in and out of the hospital. I'm still having quite a bit of pain. I broke some ribs, I know that. A lot happened because I was taking medication for pain and it was dulling my senses and created a lack of balance."

Goldstein said he has suffered several falls but joked that "This weekend was remarkable for me. I didn't have to call 911 once!"

Mark Higgins, general manager of WTNH/WCTX, said of Goldstein, "In my many travels around different TV stations across the U.S., I've never met a more generous, kind-hearted and positive human being than Mel."

Goldstein said he would continue doing radio reports for WQUN-AM and WLAD-AM in Danbury from his home because "having so many years invested, I really want to stay in touch with it."